Man detained after threats at LA Times building

Sunday, April 20, 2014

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A man suspected of making threatening statements about a shooting and forcing the lockdown of the Los Angeles Times building was being held Saturday for a mental health evaluation, police said.

A psychologist requested a 72-hour hold for the 28-year-old man at a hospital after he was detained Friday night, Sgt. Keith Green said. The sergeant didn't identify the man.

The man works at a call center that rents office space in the Times building. Officer Norma Eisenman told the newspaper that after he was reprimanded by his supervisor, he gave her a pillowcase containing ammunition and told her: "I'm not afraid to shoot people, but I don't want to go to jail."

He also told his supervisor that he was depressed and that he carried a weapon because he felt bullied at work, Eisenman said.

Green said officers seized the ammunition and determined it belonged to the man.

The Times building is across the street from Los Angeles Police Department headquarters. Officers quickly searched the building and found no weapon inside.